Knockfarrel and the Peffery Way, Dingwall

Summary

Climb through farmland to explore the iron age fort of Knockfarrel, a fantastic viewpoint overlooking Dingwall and the Cromarty Firth. The return walk makes use of part of the Peffery Way, a new cycle and footpath between Dingwall and Strathpeffer.

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Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Waymarked footpaths, one steep section, track, road with pavement.

Getting there

Start

Town centre car park, Dingwall.

Public Transport

Regular bus and train services from Inverness and the north.

Start Grid Ref

NH549586

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 11km / 6.75 miles
Time: 2.5 - 3.5 hours
Ascent: 184m (Profile)

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Walk Description

User reports (9)

Stage 1

There is a large free car park just south of the high street, signed and accessed from the A862. From here walk between the shop mobility hut and the public loos to reach the High Street. The museum and clock tower are just to the reight - entry is free and houses a permanent display about Dingwall as well as temporary exhibitions. From the Museum follow the High Street back west (left), passing the council buildings as well a number of takeaways to reach the traffic lights. Go straight across here and follow the A834 for a short distance, passing the police headquarters on the right.

Stage 2

Where the main road bends right continue straight ahead up Blackwells Street to head towards Knockbain. The road soon narrows to a country lane and climbs steadily. At a fork keep left onto Knockbain Road. Tulloch Castle can soon be seen to the right, and as the houses are left behind there are good views of the surrounding countryside.

Stage 3

There are great views towards the massive bulk of Ben Wyvis. Keep left at the entrance to Knockbain House and then straight on at the next fork (bearing left leads to Knockbain Farmhouse). Once past the farm, keep straight ahead to climb up reach a barn just before some forestry (ignore paths off right that shortcut straight down to the Peffery Way). The track is less steep now and passes deciduous trees and fields before climbing more steeply again. Looking back there are great views over the Firth, with the oil rigs often visible near Nigg, waiting for servicing.

Stage 4

Go through a kissing gate to stay on the lane which is lined with yellow-flowering gorse and broom for much of the year. The volcanic plug of Knockfarrel can be clearly seen ahead to the right. After the track levels off, a sign is reached just before a gate. Turning right here is a short cut avoiding the fort atop Knockfarrel. Unless taking this option, keep straight on through the gate following the sign for Strathpeffer. Follow the track which becomes a road and continue straight ahead when another minor road joins from the left to pass an old red phone box and postbox - the house opposite was formerly a post office.

Stage 5

After several houses a junction is reached - follow the main narrow road which turns right (ignore the road ahead). Pass a house and take the left hand fork to follow the track to a parking area on the lowest point of the ridge. (You could link from here with our walk to Knockfarrel from Strathpeffer.) Turn right here to climb the short distance to the top of the site of the fort. This was a 3,000 year old vitrified fort, where stones were heated to such high temperatures that they fused together to create super strong ramparts (archaeologists are still mystified by the process).

Stage 6

From the end of the fort follow the narrow path down the nose with great views in all directions, passing some fine old Scots pines. The path is steep and can become a little overgrown in summer. Pass through a gate in a fence, and continue down until a footpath sign is reached; turn left here for Fodderty. At the bottom of the hill pass through another metal gate, turning left to follow a grass track. This leads across the old railway line. On the far side turn right to follow a path down onto the old track bed. This is now the route of the Peffery Way - a foot and cyclepath linking Dingwall and Strathpeffer developed by a local association (the section towards Strathpeffer is not yet completed).

Stage 7

Turn left (east) to head along the Peffery Way towards Dingwall. The Way follows what was originally intended to the be route of the Kyle line, which was changed after intervention of a local estate. Soon it does come alongside the actual line. Ignore paths off right and continue ahead. Eventually the route runs between two fences and then emerges on Mill Street in Dingwall. Turn right along the pavement of this busy road, rejoining the outward route as the road bends left. Retrace steps to return to the High Street and the start.

Route Profile

Where to stay

Dingwall and Black Isle Hotels

Dingwall and Black Isle B&B

Dingwall and Black Isle cottages

Loch Ness hostels

Glamping and Camping

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